Question

determine whether each situation would be better modeled by a linear function or an exponential function.

linear exponential
joes savings increase by 10% every year.

the number of people who do not have a smartphone is decreasing by $\frac{1}{8}$ each year.

chad makes $15 per hour at his summer job.

each cup of pancake mix makes exactly 6 pancakes.

Explanation:

1. A 10% annual increase means growth is proportional to the current amount, which is exponential.
2. A decrease of $\frac{1}{8}$ (12.5%) of the current number yearly is proportional decay, so exponential.
3. Earnings increase by a fixed $15 per hour, a constant rate, which is linear.
4. Each cup makes a fixed 6 pancakes, a constant rate of change, which is linear.

Answer:

Situation	Linear	Exponential
The number of people who do not have a smartphone is decreasing by $\frac{1}{8}$ each year.		X
Chad makes $15 per hour at his summer job.	X
Each cup of pancake mix makes exactly 6 pancakes.	X